Towing Harness Assembly for Vehicle Frame Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional towing methods often damage modern vehicles with delicate bumpers and lightweight bodies due to direct engagement, and existing solutions are heavy, complex, unstable, or interfere with conventional towing devices, lacking versatility and causing safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A harness assembly that encloses the rear end of a vehicle with flexible straps and rope networks, allowing for secure towing without direct engagement of the bumper or body panels, utilizing leverage for easier lifting and stability, and designed to be lightweight and compatible with existing towing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional towing devices with hooks and chains are used to engage the bumper or undercarriage, then the towing operation can be performed, but the vehicle body panels and bumpers are damaged due to direct pressure and pulling forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary towing harness assembly that distributes pulling forces across multiple attachment points on the vehicle frame rather than concentrating force on the bumper or body panels. The harness includes straps that wrap around the vehicle and attach to frame members, acting as a mediator between the towing device and the vehicle to eliminate direct contact with delicate body components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the towing interface by replacing point-contact hooks with distributed-contact straps. The harness assembly spreads the towing force over a larger area and changes the attachment location from vulnerable body panels to stronger frame members, thereby altering how forces are transmitted to the vehicle.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wheel-supporting lifting devices are used to raise the vehicle, then the bumper and body panels are protected from damage, but the devices become heavy and cause the front wheels of the tow truck to leave the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the towing function into separate components: the harness assembly that attaches to the vehicle and the towing mechanism on the truck. This segmentation allows the harness to be lightweight while the lifting capability remains with the truck's existing winch or hoist system, avoiding the need for a heavy integrated lifting device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the harness assembly compatible with both conventional hook-and-chain towing methods and wheel-supporting lifting devices. The same harness can be used with standard towing operations or with advanced lifting equipment, providing universal applicability without requiring heavy specialized equipment for each function.
3Strength
If thick steel wheel-supporting devices are used, then the devices are strong enough to support the vehicle, but they become bulky and interfere with the alternate use of conventional towing devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible straps made of high-strength materials to replace rigid thick steel structures. The straps are thin and flexible yet maintain sufficient strength through material selection and structural design, eliminating the bulkiness of steel devices while preserving support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic, flexible components that can adapt to different vehicle sizes and towing configurations. The flexible straps can be adjusted and configured for various applications, whereas rigid steel structures would require multiple sizes and configurations to achieve the same versatility.
4Device complexity
If conventional hook-and-chain towing methods are used, then the equipment is simple and versatile, but the pulling action damages the vehicle due to increased vehicle weight and fragility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a harness assembly as an intermediary between the simple hook-and-chain system and the vehicle. This intermediary distributes the pulling forces from the simple towing device across multiple attachment points on the vehicle frame, maintaining the simplicity of the towing equipment while eliminating the damage caused by concentrated forces on delicate body components.
Data Source
AI summary
A harness assembly for towing a vehicle having a sling-like configuration that encloses an end of a towed vehicle and which is connected to a towing vehicle by elongated straps. Elongated towing straps have a first looped end attached to the cover and a second looped end attached to the towing vehicle. First and second flexible straps extend through the first looped end of the towing straps for releasably connecting the cover to the towing straps. First and second rope networks are part of the cover and consist of a plurality of ropes which merge at their ends to form a cord member and a loop through which the flexible straps extend. The towing straps are flexible and have a length greater than the length of the towed vehicle. The towing straps; the flexible straps; and the cover are made of a strong, durable material.